RENO, Nev. — Fittingly in this gambling city, the way the University of Nevada football team looked at it, a win over Hawai'i was like doubling down on its postseason chances.

By beating the Warriors, 31-21, Wolf Pack players figured they could help knock UH out of its hometown Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl slot while enhancing their own chances of playing in the Dec. 24 game at Aloha Stadium.

"There was a lot of talk in the locker room about it," said running back Vai Taua, who ran for 127 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.

Taua, a junior, said, "A lot of the seniors went (in 2007) and they've been telling the others guys about it."

UH's loss means the 2-6 Warriors would have to win their remaining five games to become bowl eligible and represent the WAC in the Hawai'i Bowl.

Sans Hawai'i, another WAC team would go.

Which is where the Wolf Pack, now 5-3, figures it could step in if it wins one or two more of its four remaining games.

"We've still got to win some games but this was a big one," Taua said.

Nevada has been to four consecutive bowl games and represented the WAC in the Hawai'i Bowl in 2007 because the Warriors were in the Sugar Bowl.

"The guys who went say Hawai'i is the best game to go to," Taua said.

Taua, who is listed as at 5 feet 10 and 220 pounds, said he also had another reason for wanting to beat UH. "They told me I was too small (during recruiting). They talked to me for a little while" when he came out of Lompoc, Calif.

Taua got his fourth consecutive 100-yard game yesterday and the 13th of his career.

NOTES

UH free safety Richard Torres suffered a hamstring injury and his status is questionable for Saturday's game against Utah State, UH said. Torres is scheduled to be reexamined upon the team's return home. It was the only injury of note, UH said.

Freshman Cayman Shutter, who made the trip as the Warriors' emergency fourth quarterback, did not play. He was brought along in the event that Bryant Moniz, Brent Rausch and Shane Austin went down but the hope was he would go unused and preserve what has, so far, been a redshirt year.

Nevada's victory tied the all-time series between the two at 7-7.